Malecón Gardens

Gardens created in 1845 when the department of Agriculture of the Training Institute asked the Central Government for the old San Francisco Convent orchard lots so that students agriculture students could practice. Ever since, many different types of plants have grown in them, some really exotic, making these the Botanical Gardens of Murcia.

 

For over a century, the Institute used the Botanical Gardens and even installed a greenhouse in them. During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) the gardens were abandoned and damaged, but in the 40s new trees were planted, some of which are still alive.

 

The project for today's Jardín del Malecón was developed in the 70s and included the annexation of the remaining lots of the Botanical Gardens and some neighboring orchards. The access arch on the Paseo del Malecón side has been restored. The garden project was developed in 1974 from the Plano de San Francisco to the area where the freeway is now. The other boundaries of the Gardens were the actual Paseo del Malecón and the extension of Plano de San Francisco right opposite the Market of Verónicas. In the 80s an artificial lake was built and all the gardens were transformed, adding grass slopes and new tree species.

 

Many changes have been made to the gardens in recent years, including the creation of a children playground, new sidewalks and flowerbeds, among others.